Clean-up continues at wildlife center

FRENCH CREEK — The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open — sort of — as work continues to clean up from the snowstorm that brought down trees around the center, damaging enclosures and causing many birds to take flight.

“We do have the loop open,” said Gene Thorn, wildlife biologist in charge of the center. “People can come but we are not open for tours. We are in a real damaged mode right now.”

The loop has been made safe for walkers but Thorn said it will have to close again while repairs are being made. Signs will be posted when that occurs. The pavilion was one part of the wildlife center not damaged and is also open.

Thorn is trying to contact fencing companies to get estimates to repair and replace the barriers around the enclosures. Until that happens, he doesn’t have a firm estimate on just how much damage was caused. Preliminary numbers show at least $50,000, but that number could climb depending on how much replacement materials cost.